Skopje, 22 September 2021 (MIA) – According to a research conducted by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) North Macedonia is the safest country in the Western Balkans. The country has ranked 40th on the Global Peace Index, registering an 11-point change in its score. Iceland has ranked first on the index, while Afghanistan last, on the 163rd position. The other Western Balkans country are ranked as follows: Serbia-44th, Albania-48th, Montenegro-51st, Bosnia and Herzegovina-72nd and Kosovo-80th. According to the Institute, the majority of Western Balkan countries register progress in peace, security and domestic stability. The IEP’s Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.